The hottest Business strategy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

How to Keep Your Data Team From Becoming a Money Pit

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 282 implied HN points • 23 May 25
💼 Business Data Management Consulting Project management Business strategy
  1. It's important to focus on outcomes, not just outputs. Creating a lot of dashboards means nothing if they don't help people make better decisions.
  2. Making good data work requires engaging with stakeholders. Understanding what users actually need can lead to more effective solutions.
  3. Success in data teams means having clear ownership and goals. Projects can fail if no one knows who is responsible for them or what they should achieve.

Nvidia's Unique History and Culture

The Asianometry Newsletter • 7614 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Computers Gaming Innovation Business strategy Corporate culture
  1. NVIDIA's success comes from a strong work ethic and a unique company culture that encourages honesty and speed. They focus on being direct and efficient in their communication.
  2. The leadership of Jensen Huang has been crucial for NVIDIA, as he continuously motivates employees to aim high and pushes the boundaries of what's possible in technology.
  3. Long-term thinking, like the development of CUDA, is key to NVIDIA’s strategy. They invest in innovations that may not pay off immediately, but will lead to big gains in the future.

Innovation, Customers and Scale: A Positive Vision for Intel's (Foundry) Future

The Chip Letter • 4586 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Innovation Manufacturing Business strategy Market Trends
  1. Intel might need to split its foundry and product divisions to succeed better. This way, each part can focus on its own goals and customers.
  2. For Intel to compete effectively, it has to be innovative and meet customer needs. Keeping an eye on emerging tech trends and demands is crucial.
  3. The success of Intel Foundry hinges on attracting big clients and delivering quality products on time. If they can impress customers, there's a chance for future growth.

Does data quality matter?

benn.substack • 1099 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Data Quality AI Models Software Development Business strategy Analytics
  1. Data quality is important for making both strategic and operational decisions, as inaccurate data can lead to poor outcomes. Good data helps companies know what customers want and improve their services.
  2. AI models can tolerate some bad data better than traditional methods because they average out inaccuracies. This means these models might not break as easily if some of the input data isn’t perfect.
  3. Businesses now care more about AI than they used to about regular data reporting. This shift in focus might make data quality feel more important, even if it doesn’t technically impact AI model performance as much.

Just refund them

Startup Real Talk • 388 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
💼 Business Customer Service Startup Advice Entrepreneurship Business strategy
  1. Refunding unhappy customers quickly can save you time and effort. It's often better to give them what they want instead of arguing.
  2. Fighting over refunds can hurt your reputation. A dissatisfied customer might share their bad experience with others, which could cost you more in the long run.
  3. There are limits to refunds. You shouldn't give back more than the amount paid, and if a customer is extremely dissatisfied, it might be best to part ways.
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Intel Q3'2024 Financials: Hallowe'en

More Than Moore • 256 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Business strategy Financial Analysis Product Development Market Trends
  1. Intel's recent financial report shows a drop in revenue but highlights some solid fundamentals when looking closer. The big losses are mostly from costs tied to restructuring and asset impairment, but without those, the numbers look much better.
  2. The company is focusing heavily on improving its margins and operations with new products coming up, especially in AI and client computing. However, they face tough competition in the AI market, lagging behind companies like NVIDIA.
  3. There are expectations for recovery in margins and revenue as newer products are released in the coming years. Overall, the restructuring seems to have some positive signs, but Intel needs to effectively deliver on its promised technology advancements.

Delusions of grandeur

Kenny’s Sub • 239 implied HN points • 21 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Market research Startups Business strategy Project management
  1. Having big ideas can be exciting, but it's important to ground them in reality. You might be really enthusiastic about your dreams, but they need to be achievable in the real world.
  2. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and ignore warnings. Just because something feels good doesn't mean it will be successful.
  3. Learning from failure is okay. Taking risks and experiencing disappointment can teach you valuable lessons for the future.

MicroStrategy's $37B+ Bitcoin Bet (Is Just The Start)

SatPost by Trung Phan • 106 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🔮 Crypto Bitcoin Investing Finance Market Trends Business strategy
  1. MicroStrategy, a software company, has made a huge shift by investing over $37 billion in Bitcoin. This change aims to protect against inflation and economic instability by using Bitcoin as a long-term store of value.
  2. Michael Saylor, the company's CEO, believes that Bitcoin is the best asset for wealth preservation compared to traditional investments like gold or real estate. He sees it as essential for economic freedom and stability.
  3. By issuing convertibles and equity to raise money, MicroStrategy has created a unique business model that offers investors exposure to Bitcoin without the hassles of buying it directly. This approach is attracting various institutional investors looking for Bitcoin-linked financial products.

MacWorld Interviews Apple CEO John Sculley (1987)

Computer Ads from the Past • 128 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Innovation Business strategy Information Technology Product Development
  1. Apple's strategy is about creating new markets, not just competing for existing ones. They want to stand out by innovating and providing new technologies.
  2. The future of personal computing is focused on making knowledge more accessible to everyone. Apple's vision includes tools that help people learn and be more creative.
  3. The transition to powerful personal computers will change how we interact with information. Future devices will be more user-friendly and tailored to individual needs.

Issue #11 - Dispelling the AI Hype Train

The Data Ecosystem • 139 implied HN points • 23 Jun 24
🕹 Technology AI Data science Business strategy Digital Transformation Organizational Culture
  1. AI needs a proper plan and strategy to work well. Companies shouldn't think they can just jump in without understanding how it will fit into their overall goals and data.
  2. Many AI projects fail because organizations overlook the importance of data quality and proper infrastructure. Good data practices are essential for AI to be effective.
  3. It's important to get everyone in the company on board with AI. This means training employees and creating a culture that embraces the technology, rather than fearing it.

TBM 318: Why Orgs Become Too Tall

The Beautiful Mess • 449 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
💼 Business Management Organizational Behavior Leadership Corporate Structure Business strategy
  1. Organizations can become too tall when they grow too big, leading to excessive layers of management. This often happens when companies cannot adjust their team sizes effectively as they deal with market challenges.
  2. Narrow spans of control make it hard for managers to handle large teams, resulting in more layers. This could be due to inexperienced managers needing more guidance or a culture that prefers smaller teams.
  3. A lack of trust and delegation can make organizations taller. When managers feel they need to oversee everything, it creates more layers instead of empowering teams to work independently.

#17: Niche cruise products: Why they work and how they might grow

Bureau of Adventure • 59 implied HN points • 27 Jul 24
💼 Business Cruise Industry Market Trends Consumer behavior Business strategy
  1. Niche cruise products, like river and coastal cruising, work well because they focus on smaller, unique destinations. This creates a more personalized experience for travelers, allowing them to explore different places without the crowds of larger ships.
  2. Established cruise lines mostly stick to big ships and mainstream markets because they see smaller niches as a distraction. However, this leaves openings for new companies to succeed in these specialized areas.
  3. The future looks bright for niche cruising, especially with a trend toward sustainability. Smaller ships can become more eco-friendly, which might appeal to communities that want to limit large cruise ships and reduce environmental impacts.

Overhead Costs vs. Marginal Costs

In My Tribe • 227 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
💼 Business Economics Finance Management Market Analysis Business strategy
  1. Overhead costs are the ongoing expenses of running a business, while marginal costs are the expenses incurred by producing one additional unit.
  2. Many businesses today focus more on overhead costs because it's hard to measure the contribution of individuals in a team setting.
  3. Understanding these costs is important for making better decisions about managing a business.

The Arm Story Part 3 : Creating A Global Standard

The Chip Letter • 3494 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Innovation Semiconductors Global Market Business strategy
  1. Arm's success was built on strategic partnerships and a unique licensing business model.
  2. The development of Thumb instruction set allowed Arm to address code size and attract key customers like Nokia and TI.
  3. Arm's growth and financial stability were further solidified by partnerships with companies like Samsung and the creation of the StrongARM line.

Teleocracy & Prestige

Becoming Noble • 757 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
💼 Business Organizational Behavior Entrepreneurship Business strategy
  1. Organizations like big tech companies have a unique capability to help young men reach their full professional potential through exposure to elite performers and a culture of audacious projects.
  2. To attract young elite talent and transform them, alternative structures need to offer opportunities for prestige, independence, wealth, and growth, emphasizing mission, service, transformation, and recognition.
  3. Building attractive spaces for elite talent involves strategic embedding of factors like perceived external prestige (PEP) in organizations by leveraging unique strengths, to compete with elite liberal institutions.

Want to Build Your Client Base? Get Started with These 3 Things First

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 79 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Client Relations Business strategy Self-Improvement
  1. Start with identifying a problem that needs solving. Focus on what others need instead of just your own ideas.
  2. Choose the right clients who align with your values and needs. This helps you work better and smarter with a specific group.
  3. Give before you ask for anything. Start by offering something for free to build trust and show what you can do.

The OpenAI corporate revamp seems pretty reasonable

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
💼 Business Corporate Structure Tech industry Business strategy
  1. OpenAI is changing its company structure to better fit its needs for raising and making money. They are moving to a type of corporation that requires them to think about more than just profits.
  2. The new structure will allow OpenAI to balance its mission with the interests of shareholders. This means they must consider how their decisions affect everyone, not just those who own stock.
  3. Although the changes could face challenges, like legal issues with competitors, OpenAI seems focused on preparing itself for future success.

the power of nested focus

Tiny Empires • 183 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Revenue streams Task management Business strategy
  1. Focus on one business at a time to give it the attention it needs. Trying to juggle multiple businesses can lead to poor performance and burnout.
  2. Limit yourself to two revenue streams within your business. This way, you can dedicate your efforts to making them successful, instead of spreading yourself too thin with too many options.
  3. Rely on just two marketing channels to reach your audience. Mastering a couple of channels is more effective than attempting to be everywhere without clear engagement.

Why AI Infrastructure Startups Are Insanely Hard to Build

Enterprise AI Trends • 192 HN points • 03 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Startups Business strategy Market Trends Acquisitions
  1. Building AI infrastructure startups is really tough because there’s a lot of competition. Many startups struggle to offer something different enough to attract enterprise customers.
  2. It's hard for these startups to get noticed because bigger companies like AWS and Google can quickly copy any good ideas. This makes it tough for startups to maintain a unique edge.
  3. To succeed, startups should narrow their focus on a specific market or problem. Doing one thing really well can help them stand out instead of trying to cater to everyone.

Evolution Gaming

Business Breakdowns • 412 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
💼 Business Finance Market Analysis Industry Analysis Business strategy Company Overview
  1. Evolution Gaming provides back-end services for online gambling games, focusing on live casino games and RNG games.
  2. The company's revenue model involves charging a fee based on operators' winnings, with a focus on high-quality customer experiences.
  3. Evolution is the market leader in live casino with significant global market share, and is expanding into RNG games for further growth opportunities.

Is Chrome divesture a sacrificial lamb or just a government gambit?

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Monopoly Antitrust Artificial Intelligence Business strategy Market Dynamics
  1. The US government wants to reduce Google's monopoly by possibly making it sell Chrome. This could affect how Google operates and make it easier for other companies to compete.
  2. Amazon is investing heavily in Anthropic, a company that creates AI models. This shows that Amazon is trying to strengthen its position in the competitive AI market.
  3. Some experts believe that the idea of Google selling Chrome might not happen because it makes more sense for Chrome to stay as part of Google's larger business strategy.

Claude's Shmuck is Bigger!

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
💼 Business Technology Industry Trends Mergers Business strategy Machine Learning
  1. In the realm of machine learning, size isn't everything. Intelligence is seen as a continuous process, not just about having the largest model.
  2. Rather than betting on one ultimate model, the future may hold multiple specialized uses for machine learning, like in medicine where different applications can thrive.
  3. Building specific applications in machine learning could be more successful than pursuing a one-size-fits-all approach, as seen in historical business scenarios.

An opening data strategy

Datent • 117 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Data Strategy Chess Business strategy
  1. Strategies are guiding principles and need a clear purpose for decision-making.
  2. Focus on maximizing the benefits of data through data product management, managing data culture, and running a data transformation program.
  3. Feedback and continuous improvement are essential in developing effective data strategies.

Illumina: The Measurement Monopoly

The Century of Biology • 535 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Biotech Genomics Market dominance Business strategy
  1. DNA sequencing technology has rapidly advanced, transforming biology into an information science.
  2. Illumina emerged as a dominant force in genomics by inventing a new measurement technology and establishing enduring differential returns over time.
  3. Illumina's strategic business properties like cornered resources, switching costs, network economies, scale economies, and branding have enabled its market dominance and recurring revenue from consumables.

Temu: from $0 to $3 billion in 10 months

Tech Buzz China Insider • 179 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
💼 Business E-commerce Marketing Logistics Expansion Business strategy
  1. Temu rapidly grew from $0 to $3 billion in 10 months, expanding to around 20 countries and focusing on aggressive social media campaigns and expensive Super Bowl advertising.
  2. Shifting its focus to household and personal care products substantially increased Temu's average order value, as about half of Temu's suppliers were manufacturers and the other half were traders.
  3. Temu is putting pressure on staff, logistics partners, and merchants, shifting costs to merchants and increasing pressure to lower prices, resulting in a current loss rate of 60% despite significant gross margins.

Real Estate, Business, & Life... Where do I find Inspiration?

PropTech Future • 176 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
💼 Business Real Estate Venture Capital Commercial Real Estate Business strategy
  1. Engage with thought leaders and content creators from various industries to find inspiration and insights.
  2. Follow key figures and newsletters in the Real Estate industry to stay updated on trends and analysis.
  3. Explore resources in areas like Venture Capital, RevOps, Business Strategy, and Product/Growth to learn and grow in your professional journey.

What Musk and Zuckerberg should learn from McDonalds [System Design Sundays]

Technology Made Simple • 159 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🕹 Technology Social media Software Algorithm Business strategy
  1. Fast food companies like McDonald's struggled with the lack of differentiation and identity when trying to offer healthier options, leading to worse performance and higher operating costs.
  2. Adding more options in social media can increase complexity, operating costs, and dilute platform identity, similar to challenges faced by fast food companies.
  3. Different social media platforms are optimized for different content types, and integrating different mediums can complicate code bases and user experiences.

Quo vadis, Data Open source

timo's substack • 157 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Open Source Data Community Business strategy Software Development
  1. Snowplow, dbt, Rudderstack, and Iceberg are examples of open-source data tools each with unique characteristics.
  2. Open-source data tools face challenges in transitioning to successful go-to-market strategies.
  3. Companies need to focus on identifying customer pain points and developing experience-changing solutions in their GTM strategy.

Four Blog Posts I Didn't Publish This Year

Venture Reflections • 8 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investment Trends Market Analysis Business strategy
  1. Not every idea needs to be shared. Keeping a drafts folder helps organize thoughts while deciding what’s worth publishing.
  2. Some topics are better discussed in personal conversations, as they can be sensitive or complex. It's okay to hold back rather than add to negativity.
  3. Investor updates are common now, but many are lacking in quality. Providing meaningful information is key to keeping investors informed.

How your team can use Open Source to improve productivity [Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 99 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🕹 Technology Open Source Productivity Tech Giants Software Development Business strategy
  1. Open source solutions can provide quick fixes to problems many consider major. They are readily available and already in use by people.
  2. Business leaders and managers often underestimate the significance of open source in technology. It's a powerful resource that can greatly benefit organizations.
  3. Utilizing open source software has become crucial in the tech industry. Knowing how to leverage it can be a game-changer for tech leaders and businesses.

🌟 Your Ultimate AI Guide for Product Managers: 10-Part Series

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 16 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
💼 Business Product Management AI Integration Tech Trends Business strategy Ethics
  1. This guide introduces essential AI concepts useful for product managers. Understanding AI can help managers make better product decisions.
  2. It covers the basics of using large language models, which are important tools in AI. Learning to use these models can improve product development.
  3. The guide emphasizes the role of ethics in AI product management. Responsible use of AI is crucial for building trust and ensuring success.

Deconstructing the National Cybersecurity Strategy

Deploy Securely • 78 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Regulation Government Policy Data Privacy Business strategy
  1. The National Cybersecurity Strategy emphasizes the need for businesses to adapt their cybersecurity strategies accordingly.
  2. The strategy addresses the importance of defending critical infrastructure and the need to streamline cybersecurity regulations.
  3. Business leaders should be aware of potential regulatory changes impacting software security and consider the implications of a national cyber insurance backstop.

Downside at Moderna.

Philoinvestor • 78 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
💰 Finance Investing Stocks Company performance Executive Compensation Business strategy
  1. Moderna has faced significant insider selling of stock by top executives, leading to questions about their management and future prospects.
  2. Despite recent success with COVID vaccine sales, Moderna is now facing a period of cash burn and uncertainty as they seek to pivot post-pandemic.
  3. Investors in Moderna are banking on the company's RNA-technology pipeline to potentially deliver groundbreaking solutions, but there is high risk involved.